Pains and Joys in Bakun Trio

Bakun shelters 3 mountains namely Mt. Kabunian (1700 MASL), Mt. Lobo (2000 MASL), and Mt. Tenglawan (1940 MASL), which is popularly known as Bakun Trio. Each of these 3 mountains offers unique and wonderful scenery.  Usually, hikers scale these mountains in a single trip which lasts for 4 to 6 days. Melanie, Noel and I decided to climb these prominent mountains as our year-ender journey. We actually allotted 4 days for this trip but when we arrived at Bakun we decided to include several side trips aside from the 3 mountains thus our trip was extended for another day.

First Day -  we meet at Petron Km.5 La Trinidad, Benguet at 6am and boarded the bus going to Poblacion, Bakun at 7am. We arrived at Poblacion, Bakun at 1pm and went directly to their tourist assistance center. We settled our registration fees and met our guide. The barangay hall serves as a basecamp for hikers at 60 pesos/head/night but we opted to stay at Noel’s cousin’s house. At 4pm, we departed for Mt. Kabunian. It was almost dark, 6pm, when we reached camp 1 but we agreed to camp at the next camping site thus we continued hiking up. We were just few meters away from camp 1 when it started raining heavily prompting us to go back to camp 1 and settled there for the night. Ah...rain rain rain...what a way to start our journey!

Second Day – We started our assault to the summit at 6am despite the gloomy day. There were parts of the trails that are too steep which require extra caution. We reached the peak after 2 hours. A lush green beautiful landscape can be viewed at the top. We leisurely ate our packed breakfast there. It started drizzling again when we began descending but we still manage to appreciate the magnificent view and took time to take pictures. It was almost lunch time when we arrived at barangay Poblacion. We went directly to our accommodation, unpacked, and went straight to Tekip falls. We cooked our lunch there. While indulging ourselves with our food, it started raining again! Seriously now?! This rain really loves us!

Mt. Kabunian

to Mt. Kabunian

Tekip Falls

Third Day – 6am, we started ascending to Mt. Lubo. We were told that we will be traversing a bloody trail - leech invested trail, thus we carried salts. Armed with salts, we thought that we were ready for the leeches but we were overwhelmed by their quantity. Since we were the first ones to walk that trail, we were the first ones to disturb the leeches! There were so many of them dangling from the grasses ready to stick themselves to anyone or anything that touches them. Entering the bloody trail, the leeches were all over the trail until you reached the rough road. Every time we stop for a while to check ourselves, we always see more or less 10 leeches sticking in our pants! Ah..asin...asin..asin! We rubbed salts to take them off. Once we reached the road, we were barely breathing, then our guide told us that we were fast! What the? We were actually half running trying to get out of the bloody trail as soon as possible! Lucky for me, I got rid of the leeches before they actually bit me. Melanie got the hellish experience of the day. Hihihi.  One can actually avoid the bloody trail by traversing the Dada road but it will take longer time. 

We hiked up for another hour before reaching the Mt. Lubo summit. After enduring that bloody trail, a breathtaking panorama greeted us at the summit. Hay, buti na lang. We breathe in, breathe out, thanked God for showing us His wonderful creations, rest for a while, and got ready for our next destination. We descended on the other side of the mountain aiming for Nagasa cave. We were half way to Nagasa cave when our guide informed us that we’ll be traversing a bloody trail again! We geared up, bringing out our weapon – the POWER SALT!!! After another 30 minutes of leech fight on the way, we reached the Nagasa cave entrance. We explored the beauty of the cave for almost an hour. Outside, we were having our light lunch when it started raining again!!! And guess what? The half way of going back to Poblacion is a bloody trail! So here comes the rain and the leeches!!! We walked like superman!!!

Mt. Lubo

Mt. Lubo summit

the in and out of Nagasa cave

Fourth Day – The clear sky promised us a fine day! 6am, we were already on our way to Mt. Tenglawan. Since were coming from Poblacion, Mt. Tenglawan is the farthest among the 3 mountains. It took us 5.5 hours to reach the summit. There were also bloody trails on the way to Mt. Tengalawan but these were short and at certain spots only unlike the long bloody trails of Mt. Lubo. The summit of Mt. Tengalwan offers an exceptional glorious view.  We finally descended at about 1pm. On our way back, I felt something itchy on my stomach. When I lifted my shirt I saw a leech blissfully sucking blood out of me!!! My goodness! Well, I thought I’m going to survive Bakun Trio without any leech bites!!! Apparently, our day will not be completed without the rain. We were almost halfway back when the rain poured again. Let it rain. Let it rain, it’s our last day anyway. We arrived at Poblacion at 8pm and completed the trek for 12 hours.  

that's Mt. Tenglawan

Fifth Day – At 6am we were ready to go back home with blisters on our feet, leech bites, and muscle cramps. At the same time, we’re going home with fresh mind and soul, memories and journey worth remembering for the next coming years. Thank you Bakun!

From our experience, Mt. Lubo is the easiest to climb but the bloodiest, Mt. Tenglawan is the lengthiest and Mt. Kabunian is the most challenging. My friends and I are so proud that we finally scaled these mountains. As of now, this is the most extreme hiking experience I’ve ever been. 

***Hikers may choose their own itinerary, one may choose day hikes for each mountain or does Tenglawan-Kabunian traverse. Trekking time: Mt. Tenglawan – 12 to 14 hours, Mt. Kabunian – 6 to 8 hours, Mt. Lubo – 4 to 6 hours.     

***All hikers going to Mt. Lubo using the Dada route are advised to log at the Dada Multi-purpose Building and be given a short briefing. However, upon going down to Poblacion, Bakun hikers should register at the Tourist Assistance Center located at the Barangay Hall, secure permit and a briefing. Hikers who choose to go to Mt. Tenglawan first using the Sinacbat route is likewise to follow same protocol above upon arrival at Poblacion.

You can contact the Municipal Tourism Officer or the barangay government of Poblacion or Sinacbat, Bakun for further information.

Mr. Arthur A. Tolito- 09212113687/ 09053172616- Municipal Tourism Officer

Mr. Peter A. Diclas- 09296210448/09062847896-BATTOGAPA Federation President